Abstract:

Thirty-five years ago Roland Barthes proclaimed the death of the Author. For medievalists no death has been more timely. In Medieval French Literature there are no Authors, only authors--and enigmas. The essays in this volume examine both well-known authorial figures such as Guillaume de Lorris, Jean de Meun, Jean Froissart, Christine de Pizan, and lesser-known ones like Gerbert de Montreuil, Gautier de Coincy, Baudoin Butor, or David Aubert. This book will appeal to all those who are interested in theoretical approaches to authorship. For specialists it delivers an assessment of current theoretical and methodological issues in medieval studies.